抄録
We investigated the advanced glycation end-product (AGE) cross-link breaking activity of 23 commercially available edible seaweeds with varying species, processing methods, and parts. The methanolic extract of the brown alga Ecklonia cava ssp. Kurome (kurome) possesses potent AGE cross-link breaking activity, and 6, 8’-bieckol, a phlorotannin, was its functional component, which exhibited concentration-dependent AGE cross-link breaking and formation-inhibiting activities. In young adult women who took the kurome supplement for a long period, urinary pentosidine concentrations tended to decrease, and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine concentrations significantly decreased after kurome supplement intake compared with the concentrations before the intake. Furthermore, the fatigue questionnaire survey revealed significant differences in mental fatigue score before and after the intake of the kurome supplement.
A questionnaire survey using the Menstrual Dysfunction Questionnaire revealed significant improvements in premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea symptoms, particularly psychiatric symptoms (negative emotions, concentration, and behavioral changes) and behavioral changes associated with psychiatric symptoms (including decreased perseverance at work or school and a tendency toward social withdrawal). This may be because 6, 8’-bieckol inhibits the production of AGEs and suppresses the inflammatory response caused by AGEs. Based on these results, continuous intake of kurome supplements containing the phlorotannin 6, 8’-bieckol can prevent AGE accumulation by inhibiting AGE production and breaking AGE cross-links.
